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Ex-Rivers LG chairmen accuse Fubara of sponsoring attack on Wike’s property, threaten reprisal
Ex-Rivers LG chairmen accuse Fubara of sponsoring attack on Wike’s property, threaten reprisal
Former local government chairmen in Rivers State, on Wednesday, accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of orchestrating the Tuesday raid by hunger protesters on the Port Harcourt mansion of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
While warning that Fubara did not have the monopoly of violence, the ex-LG chairmen promised to mobilise their troops to similarly unleash an attack on Fubara’s properties.
In the midst of a statewide hunger strike, demonstrators marched to Wike’s mansion on Ada George Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and laid siege to it, changing war songs and calling the former governor unprintable names.
It necessitated the presence and attention of police officers to repel the demonstrators who sought to enter the mansion.
Speaking on Wednesday under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, the chairmen, who were elected during Wike’s tenure as Rivers State governor, accused incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara of sponsoring the protesters who stormed Wike’s residence.
Dr. Chidi Lloyd, a former Chairman of the Emuoha Local Government Area, said, “We are aware that he (Fubara) directed the protesters to go to the residence of the minister. We will also organise our people and go to Forces Avenue, where he is building on a 32-plot of land.
“Enough is enough. Fubara does not have the capacity to cow anybody here. He knows it. And we know his properties and those of his cronies.
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“All they have achieved has just been mountainous looting of Rivers funds. So he should be very careful. He wants to incite ethnic bigotry here. If what happened yesterday at Ada George repeats itself, Fubara will not even be here to govern the state.
“We will not allow him to destroy all that we have achieved in this state just because he knows nothing about leadership. So the protesters should gather in the government house and ask him what he has done with the N238bn he collected between May and June.”
However, in a swift reaction, Joseph Johnson, the state commissioner for information and communications, said the erstwhile LG chairmen sounded like broken records.
“If you ask me, they have finished their tenure and have gone by our own law. So, what they are doing is meddling in what does not concern them. They are like ordinary citizens.
“If there was anything in sight along the Ada George Road yesterday (Tuesday), I saw protesters who walked past the house of the FCT Minister, and I saw a full presence of policemen. So, I don’t know what they are talking about.
“They are drowning people looking for where to clutch a straw. But if you ask me truly, the information I have is that they have been holding meetings. The one they held today is just the open one.
“They have been holding meetings being sponsored by former Ohio-Akpor Local Government Chairmen where they were charged to do everything to turn the protest into something that will culminate in a state of emergency.
“But all those attempts are the machinations of the wicked. The Bible has said that he disappointed the devices of the enemy so that they would not practice their enterprise.
“What they are doing is like the last kick of a dying horse. They are already gone, and the court has pronounced them as such.”
Ex-Rivers LG chairmen accuse Fubara of sponsoring attack on Wike’s property, threaten reprisal
News
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
Tinubu jets out to France on three-day visit
President Bola Tinubu will travel to France today (Wednesday) for a three-day state visit at the instance of the French president.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this.
It said, “The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria.”
Onanuga said Tinubu and Macron would harmonise positions on stimulating more interest in exchange programmes that focus on skill development for youths and improving their competencies in automation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication,” he added.
“They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.”
The presidential adviser stated that the Nigerian first lady and her French counterpart would discuss solutions for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope initiative.
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
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